and president obama regarding, um, the so-called fiscal cliff could be a one, two combination knock out for nation's economy. >> if a strike does happen that means a big chunk of the more than 14,000 members of the international longshoresmen association will be off the job. >> reporter: the ports impacted generate an estimated $11 billion in state and local taxes annually. but losses from any strike will be felt far beyond the coast, with industries as diverse as agriculture, manufacturing and retail taking a hit. that's got the national retail federation urging president obama to intervene: >> the ports are a critical component to the u.s. global supply chain and a potential strike or shutdown to the ports not only impacts retailers but all other businesses who rely on the ports to move the nation's commerce. >> reporter: the sticking point in negotiations: a decades old law, called the container royalty fund. it was established in the 1960s to help dockworkers displaced by technology, the port alliance says these days those royalties serve as a bonus to workers, not a safety net.